Christmas tree fundraiser members

Trees Help to Tout Non-profits

Nearly $24,000 has been awarded to fifteen area non-profits as part of the annual Christmas Tree Fundraiser sponsored by the Watertown Area Community Foundation. The event, hosted at the Watertown Regional Library, raises awareness for local non-profits and promotes unrestricted gifts to them during the holiday season.

Community members supported the effort during the month of December by casting $1 votes for their favorite trees/organizations. The Foundation matched donations up to $300 for each of the participating non-profits and also awarded a $500 unrestricted grant to the highest vote-getter.

The Mellette House earned top honors with a grand total of $7,790, which included the $300 match and $500 grant. Watertown Area PACH (People Against Child Hunger) captured second place.

Other participants included: Beacon Center, Boys & Girls Club of Watertown, Boy Scout Troop 209, Brothers & Sisters Behind Bars, Codington County Historical Society, Community Transit of Watertown/Sisseton, East-Central CASA, Joy Ranch of South Dakota, Lake Area Zoological Society, My Happy Place, Northern Prairie Arts, Watertown Cares, and Watertown Regional Library.

“Each year, we see more and more support for the Foundation’s Christmas Tree Fundraiser,” said Cammie Mengwasser, WACF Executive Director. “Not only do participating organizations receive much welcomed unrestricted gifts during the holiday season, but our area residents continue to engage with and learn even more about our outstanding non-profit community.”

The Foundation wishes to thank participating organizations, the library, and generous supporters for a successful 2023 Christmas Tree fundraiser.